WIVENHOE Town goal king Ray “Razor” Turner says there is no sign of his passion for football dwindling.

The 35-year-old has scored countless goals on the north Essex non-league circuit, having been a regular marksman for the likes of Stanway Rovers, FC Clacton, Halstead Town and Brantham Athletic.

Now, as player-assistant manager at Wivenhoe, the goals are continuing to flow and his tally for the season - prior to Saturday's scheduled match at Ely City - stands at 21.

“I’m very proud of my record,” said Turner, who works alongside first-team manager Mo Osman.

“I’m enjoying my football and still have that passion and desire to play.

“So much of the credit for that has to go to Mo.

“He’s keeping me going and getting the best out of me.

“I really like and respect him and want to do well and score goals for him.

“I was resigned to the fact my playing days might be coming to an end, when I was assistant manager at Stanway and then manager at Clacton.

“I had to put playing on the back-burner, but then got a new lease of life after joining Brantham. I scored ten goals in four months and really got my buzz back.

“It made me realise I could still cut it and then I managed 16 goals in my first full season back playing regularly at Stanway.

“I haven’t really looked back since then and am enjoying it as much as ever (having rejoined Wivenhoe in July).

“It may take slightly longer to recover after games but I’m lighter now than I’ve ever been.”

Turner hopes to keep playing as long as possible.

And he says he will know when the time is right to call it a day.

“I don’t look too far ahead and take it one game at a time,” he said.

“As a player, you know when your time is up.

“You lose sharpness, stop scoring goals and don’t contribute in the same way as you did before.

“That’s when you know it’s time to hang your boots up but I certainly haven’t reached that point yet.

“When it does happen, I definitely want to stay in the game and would love to move into management.

“That’s my ambition and I’m working towards my coaching badges now.”

Wivenhoe were perennial strugglers in the premier division, only to repeatedly be given a reprieve from relegation.

They were eventually relegated last season but it appears to be a case of taking one step backwards to take two forward.

Osman’s side are having an amazing season and are blazing a trail at the top of division one.

“It’s a remarkable achievement, after so many years of struggle,” said Turner.

“The club is absolutely flourishing, both on the pitch and off it.

“The team are obviously doing well and more people are coming to watch us, then coming in for a drink with the players afterwards.

“Everything is going so well and everyone is pulling in the same direction.

“We’ve all got the same goal, everyone gets on and there’s not a hint of negativity.

“It’s the same in terms of the playing squad.

“Everyone gets on.

“There’s loads of banter and not a bad egg in the squad.

“Players can get into a rut when things aren’t going too well but our success this season is bringing the best out of everyone.”